Franchise Industry News & Announcements

Forward-Thinking Fry Franchise Launches Mobile Game Application for Menu Education
June 19, 2013 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, Florida - French fries are not commonly a topic of confusion, but when one company created more than 50 unique fry flavors, the plot thickened. French Fry Heaven, the first and only gourmet fry franchise, just launched a mobile application that helps consumers understand the wacky fries they offer through fun, flying potatoes and prizes.
French Fry Heaven has developed a cult following since the first store opened in Jacksonville, Fla. three years ago. Repeat customers have the unique flavors down; they know full well that the “Festival Saint” is a sweet potato fry that tastes like funnel cake as well as the difference between a Cupid and Perfect sized fry...

The newest location for Maui Wowi’s fresh fruit smoothies and Hawaiian coffees is now open in Boynton Beach, Florida. The store features green building materials in an effort to reduce the environmental footprint of the company’s locations as it commits to responsible building practices.
Greenwood Village, CO (PRWEB) June 19, 2013 - Maui Wowi Hawaiian has officially kicked off summer with the opening of their newest location in Boynton Beach, Florida. Owned and operated by Franchisee, Freddie Hazan, the store boasts state-of-the-art building materials and has been transformed into a Hawaiian paradise.
“Working together with our vendors and with Freddie, we were able to create a store that represents our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and to building locations more responsibly,” said Eric Richardson, Senior Project Manager for Maui Wowi Hawaiian...

Tour to Stop at Local Sport Clips Haircuts While Raising Funds for Wounded Veterans' "Smart Homes"
June 18, 2013 // Franchising.com // OMAHA, Neb. – The Wounded Warriors Family Support Mustang will hit the road this summer for the High Five Tour 2013.
The High Five Tour rallies communities across the U.S. to say “thank you” and show their appreciation to our country’s military families for their sacrifices. Wounded Warriors Family Support invites Americans of all walks of life to show their support for military families by visiting a stop on the tour and signing the car with a message of gratitude to our country’s veterans and their families.
This year’s High Five Tour will be truly unique as Ford Mustang clubs throughout the country get behind the wheel of the 2013 Mustang GT500 “Super Snake...

The senior care franchise, recently coined the "home care company with a Silicon Valley soul," continues to differentiate itself in a rapidly growing industry.
Palo Alto, CA (PRWEB) June 18, 2013 - Home Care Assistance, North America's leading provider of in-home care, is committed to providing seniors with high-quality care that enables them to age well in the comfort of their own homes. With a 97 percent client satisfaction rate—unparalleled in the industry—it’s clear that the company is achieving its mission to change the way the world ages.
Coined the “home care company with a Silicon Valley soul” by Fox Business, Home Care Assistance is an innovator in the senior care space; the company has created an online university to provide ongoing caregiver training in important areas like Alzheimer’s care, healthy cooking techniques, and post-hospitalization care...

New Franchise Owners Are Among Dozens Who Have Recently Joined America's Largest Carpet Cleaning Franchise
NASHVILLE, TN - (Marketwired - Jun 18, 2013) - For Mike Dickey, the Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise was the answer to a prayer. For Brent John, it meant the freedom to stay in one place. And for Nazar Osman, it just made good business sense.
The three are among dozens who have recently partnered with Chem-Dry, the nation's largest carpet cleaning franchise, which just celebrated its 25th consecutive year ranked among top franchises by Entrepreneur magazine, which also named Chem-Dry one of the 10 best low-investment franchises.
Dickey, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Clint, Texas, started Chem-Dry of El Paso to help his community...

ORADELL, NJ - (Marketwired - Jun 18, 2013) - Huntington Learning Center hosted its annual Huntington School Services Convention June 6, 2013, at the Hotel Sax in Chicago, Illinois. Huntington School Services franchisees, staff and corporate employees met to discuss best practices for quality instruction, new marketing initiatives, annual results, goals for the coming years, and more. The theme of this year's convention -- the fourth in the company's history -- was "Team up for Triumph," to celebrate the partnerships that Huntington forms with school districts and non-profit organizations to provide academic support for students.
The 2013 Huntington School Services Convention featured an awards ceremony to honor franchisees for providing exceptional service to students to date in the current academic year...

700-Location Franchise Has Grown From Pack-and-Ship Roots to Full Marketing Service Provider for Entrepreneurs
DENVER, CO - (Marketwired - Jun 18, 2013) - Sometimes, in order to thrive, a business needs to evolve. PostNet, which started in 1993 as a pack-and-ship franchise, is a case in point. As technology allowed the company to serve customers in new ways, PostNet added copiers, then digital printers, then graphic design services -- along the way transforming into much more: a digital printing and business services franchise that also offers marketing expertise to help small and medium-sized businesses get and keep more customers.
It's been a lucrative shift for a company that has consistently won awards and recognition from Entrepreneur magazine, Franchise Business Review, Franchise Times and others in the franchise industry...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - The Meineke team joined forces with Driven Brands Charitable Foundation to host the 15th Annual Meineke Tournament of Champions at the picturesque The Golf Club at Ballantyne. The fundraising event benefited Carolinas Healthcare System's Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH), raising $80,000 for this great cause.
The fundraising effort was spearheaded by more than 160 attendees representing generous vendors, franchisees and employees. PITCH, Advance Auto Parts, O'Reilly Auto Parts, American Tire Distributors, Web.com and other sponsors contributed by sponsorship donations and provided amazing prizes through both silent and live auction.
"Giving back to our communities, on a local and national level, is at the core of Meineke," said Paul Clayton, President, Meineke...

Handcrafted pizza, ever changing unique beers and Dude’s Daiquiri Bar all in an exciting atmosphere under the lights of the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel are just a few great reasons to stop into The Island at Pigeon Forge Mellow Mushroom, beginning Friday, June 21st.
June 18, 2013 // Franchising.com // Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is proud to announce its newest opening in The Island at Pigeon Forge, on Friday, June 21st, at 131 The Island Drive, Suite 3101, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, located next to the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.
“Soon after purchasing the 300,000 square foot retail and entertainment center, we knew we wanted to bring Mellow Mushroom to the Island,” states owner Bob McManus. “Working with the home office, we have created a new version of the traditional Mellow Mushroom concept, where we offer a curated selection of Mellow’s most popular menu items with a unique combination of counter ordering and table service designed to allow guests a fast service time so they can get back to enjoying all the fun that the Island offers, while still delivering the same Mellow food quality and unique environment they have come to know...

Jake's Wayback Burgers to Take Middle East and North Africa by Storm
CHESHIRE, Conn. - June 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Jake's Wayback Burgers has come a long way since its first location in Newark, Del. serving up fresh, big, juicy hand-made burgers and real milkshakes to fulfill America's love for that roadside burger joint. The one-of-a-kind franchise has been expanding fast, doubling its system-wide sales in just one year with extensive plans for national and international expansion.
The company just announced an exciting new deal with Topaz MENA LLC to expand the brand into 28 countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA). The first location is slated to open in Dubai.
Abdulrahman Alieedon, Vice Chairman of the Board from Topaz MENA LLC, first heard about the Jake's Wayback Burgers international franchise opportunity at the Franchising Middle East exhibition...

Plans To Open This Summer
June 18, 2013 // Franchising.com // THE COLONY, Texas – Dave Goebel, of Kansas City, is about to do what he does best – open a restaurant. Most recently between Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs and Y-Leave Café, and his former job as CEO of Applebee’s, he knows the right ingredients for a successful restaurant. And this next one promises to be a hit.
As one of the first franchisees for one of the hottest restaurant concepts in the nation, today Goebel announced that he will open the first Pie Five Pizza Co. in the region at 13366 Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park later this summer.
“I am a big believer that your early restaurants should be your flagships with big volume and great presence in the city,” Goebel said...

June 18, 2013 // Franchising.com // CORALVILLE, IA – Pancheros Mexican Grill (www.pancheros.com), a Mexican restaurant chain famous for delicious burritos, opened its second Missouri location in St. Joseph today. To mark the grand opening, the St. Joseph Pancheros will be offering its signature burritos for $1 on June 25th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Pancheros, acclaimed for its tasty burritos made with hand-pressed tortillas, also prides itself in serving other savory Mexican dishes such as tacos, quesadillas, burrito bowls and salads. The burrito chain also carries two proprietary hot sauces called Greenade and Flavolcano, to offer spice-lovers a way to add heat to their dining experience. The unit is the fifth to be opened by Jim Brown, a long time franchisee of Pancheros...

Explosive Growth and Debut of New Business Book Propel Iconic Brand's Renaissance 
June 18, 2013 // Franchising.com // Dallas, TX – Bennigan’s Franchising Company and AXM Overseas Holdings, Ltd. announced today the grand opening of Bennigan's in Larnaca, Cyprus. The newest restaurant for the nearly 100-unit chain, Bennigan's in Larnaca is the fourth Cyprus location for franchise partners Chris and Andrew Axentiou.
The father and son team became Bennigan's franchisees in 2002 and own three other Cyprus locations in Nicosia, Limassol and Protaras.Over the past several years, they have succeeded in building strong operations centered on the brand's chef-driven menu and Legendary hospitality. The Larnaca location opened on June 4 and is already attracting crowds with its high-definition TVs, projectors and video wall to showcase sporting events...

Local Opens Franchise to Welcome New Residents
June 18, 2013 // Franchising.com // Edmonds, Wash. - After working in local municipal government for most of his career, recently retired Wayne Sepolen began looking to add value to his community. Sepolen is bringing Welcomemat Services to the North Seattle-Edmonds area, as he hopes to make a positive impact. The marketing and technology strategies company provides direct-mail gift certificates specifically to new residents to help them get acclimated to their neighborhood.
Sepolen often found it difficult to see the value of his work while employed at a large bureaucracy. He retired from public service two years ago, always keeping in mind the idea of going back work. Sepolen had dreamed of setting up his own small business for years and after working with a consultant scouting various options, Welcomemat Services seemed to be the perfect way that Sepolen could add value to his community...

Commitment to Local Ingredients Brings Fresh, Better-Tasting Food to Chipotle
DENVER - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Jun. 18, 2013 - Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) plans to serve more than 15 million pounds of locally grown produce in its restaurants this year, up from its 2012 goal of 10 million pounds. As the only national restaurant company with a significant commitment to using local produce on a large scale, Chipotle has steadily increased its locally sourced produce supply since beginning the program in 2008.
"We are changing the way people think about and eat fast food," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. "That means pushing ourselves to find the best quality ingredients - ingredients that have traditionally been available only in high end restaurants and specialty food markets - and making them available in way that is accessible and affordable...

Unique Property Websites Designed to Help CENTURY 21 Real Estate Professionals Capture More Listings, Attract More Buyers and Grow Their Business
MADISON, NJ - (Marketwired - Jun 18, 2013) - Century 21 Real Estate LLC, the franchisor of the world's largest real estate sales organization, today announced another key element in its powerful set of tools available for use by the professional sales associates who represent the brand across the United States. The company announced a new relationship with Properties Online, Inc. that will provide CENTURY 21® real estate professionals with unique property websites for every property listing. The websites are automatically generated each time a new listing appears on century21.com, and will showcase the properties of home sellers who list with a CENTURY 21 sales professional...

Nation’s Largest Barbecue Franchise Muscles in to Prime Time with Limited Time Offer
DALLAS - June 18, 2013 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Dickey’s Barbecue is firing up their menu for Summer with the new Racetrack Sandwich. The barbecue franchise known for slow smoked barbecue, is adding this new menu item from July through September.
“Summer is the perfect time to roll out the Racetrack Sandwich,” said Roland Dickey, Jr., President and CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. “The combination of brisket and pork topped with creamy coleslaw is a hearty addition to our Summer menu.”
Dickey’s Racetrack Sandwich features tender beef brisket and flavorful slow smoked pulled pork topped with tangy barbecue sauce and creamy coleslaw, all featured on Dickey’s new signature bread...

The Romeo's Pizza in Medina claimed the Best Pizza in Medina County with the Butcher Shop Pizza.
Medina, Ohio (PRWEB) June 18, 2013 - The team at the Medina Romeo's Pizza delivered award-winning taste to the Medina County residents at the 1st Annual Pizza Palooza event held on Saturday, June 8. The event was held in Medina Square and was sponsored by Main Street Medina, Feeding Medina County and the AARP.
Seven local pizza chains competed for the People's Choice Award and the Judge's Choice Award. Romeo's Pizza won the People's Choice Award for the Best Pizza with The Butcher Shop. The Butcher Shop is loaded with five different meat toppings: pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon and crumbled meatballs. The Butcher Shop has also won the Best Pizza in Midwest in 2002, 2004 and 2013 at the Pizza Pizzazz competition in Columbus...

Local Entrepreneur Acquires One of the Largest Franchises in the Network
June 18, 2013 // Franchising.com // LARGO, Fla.  - Valpak, a leader in local print and digital coupons, announced that it has signed a franchise agreement with Rick Baker to acquire the Valpak of Boston franchise, one of the largest franchises in the network.
Valpak of Boston was previously owned and operated by Valpak corporate for 22 years.
Baker, a former vice president of Valassis, assumed The Blue Envelope® distribution in March and mailed out to residents in Eastern Massachusetts, covering the areas of Worchester, East and North Shore and the Rhode Island border.
"After many years working on the corporate side, I had a strong desire to become an entrepreneur and own my own business," said Rick Baker, Valpak of Boston franchisee...

Largest Full-Service Hotel in Atlantic Beach Delivers Premium Location and Accommodations for Leisure Travel, Meetings and Special Events
June 18, 2013 // Franchising.com // ATLANTIC BEACH, N.C. - DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Worldwide today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront, a contemporary beachside escape in coastal North Carolina. The former Sheraton closed in 2011 in the wake of Hurricane Irene, and was acquired by Newport Group in 2012 with plans for an overhaul and a grand reopening as the go-to destination hotel for Atlantic Beach visitors. Following a $5 million renovation, the hotel debuts a modern, beach-chic ambience that appeals to leisure travelers and those seeking a fresh and sophisticated setting for meetings and events...